Need Advice on how to start over

Hello to all. My name is Sunday, and I am almost 2years out. I know I am not as far out as some of you veterans, but I need some sage advice or maybe just some encouragement.

My surgery was a piece of cake. (pardon the pun)
I started to have some problems with excessive gas and constipation and severe pain in my stomach last year. I ended up in the er, several times. To add to the problems, they could find nothing wrong with my stomach and then my surgeon laft the state.

SO I start with a new group, they do some tests, and all that I know is that the exit of my stomach is slightly enlarged and maybe that iws why I can eat more and am hungry. I see the Dr. again on the 21st and hopefully he will have some more info.

Now the real truth, since I have gotten off of school for the summer and have been stuck in the houe with my kids, I have been so depresed that I could cry or scream, depending on what they are doing. I have eaten every non healthy piece of food that has been in the house and even went out to buy it myself. I have gained a solid 15 lbs. and feel awful. I cleaned out my closet the other day and tried to put on a pair of jeans that fit me in May....there is no way in heck these are going to fit me now...I feel like such a failure. I am also very hard on myself if you haven't already noticed.

My cousin and I were talking about the weight issue and she does Atkins. So out of desperation I decided to try it. It really isn't as bad as I thought it was. It is very similar to the diet that were supposed to be on anyway. I just try to watch some of the fats and I do count calories. The plan suggests that women try to stay between 1500-1800, depending on their frame, age, height, activity, etc. So  have given myself a limit of 1500 a day...the first 2 weeks you can only take in 20 carbs a day. So I am nursing an adiction to bread and all of those crackers and snacks that I love, along with pasta and sweet potatoes...I know, I should have never started eating them again anyway....

My question is this.....has anyone got some real answers for me...
1. How many calories a day are we, as bypasses, supposed to take in?
2. Is Atkins ok as far as diets go, because I tell you, I am so full I could burst, and I don't think that I ever got this much protein before either....Acording to the carb/calorie counter on the site, my protein for today was 95 grams, and my cals were 1400. AND I ATE!!!!!
3. Are the calorie counters giving me the right info. Is a 1/2 chicken breast, cooked on the BBQ with the skin, really only 192 calories. I don't eat the skin, I just cook it with it so that it isn't a hockey puck by the time it's cooked.
4. Am I going to lose on this diet?
5. How much are we supposed to be able to eat????? I can't get a straight answer out of the Dr's. or anyone else and I am frustrated.....

I am so scared to go baack to the old me.....I don't ever want to be that way again, and I miss my jeans...I know some of you are probably laughing at me because it it just 15 pounds, but to me, it might as well be a hundred...

HELP!!!! I need some input....

Thanks for listening to my rant... I think I needed to vent.....

Sunday

Hi,

I don't have a lot of answers, but the count on the chicken does sound right, I think atkins is fine if you can stick with it..it's REALLY close to what we were doing shortly after surgery anyway. I love that it takes away your appetite!

Someone on OH gave this website out a few days ago and I have found it EXTREMELY helpful!!! And have found I'm not hungry all day long a nymore like I was by following the rules he outlines, he teaches you HOW to use the pouch, how ot understand it...and use it to serve you the best.

Check this out http://www.amylhwilliams.com/pouchrulesfordummies.html

Good luck!

Leslee

Hi Sunday....(love the name)


I understand where you are coming from I'm in your shoes now , only difference I have a 30 lbs regain to lose......maybe you need to try and get back to the basics.... take a look at www.5daypouchtest.com  see if that's something you may be interested in.... it worked for me



God Bless!!! 

Thank you guys for posting... I checked out the web site and it makes sense abou the water loading...Now if someone had explained that to me when I had th surgery, maybe I would not have been beating myself up so much and feeling so bad....I am going to stick with the Atkins, to get rid of the carb habit, and incorporate the water loading theory....I'll let you know how it goes.....thanks again...Sunday

I hate to bring this up Sunday, but it really sounds as if you are depressed. That is really a common thing after weight loss surgery. Find a doctor you can talk to about your feelings - also, depending on how old you are and if you have had a hysterectomy - some of it could be hormones - look at that too. Be proactive when it comes to your health and do some research - google is your friend. I have been through depression - it can feel like desparation - you feel edgy - there are lots of great things out there that can help - even natural things - but you really need to find someone to talk to about it.

Good luck!
Diona

Another good idea is the 3 day liquid protein train found on Bariatric Eating's website.  It's to decarb the body, and it will jump start your weight loss but the purpose of it is to get back on track and to decarb.  Here is the link:  3 day lpt

 

The good news is:  your pouch sounds like it is still working!  Try doing this.  Take 4 oz chicken breast only, make sure its moist though or else it will get clogged up in your tummy, and eat it slowly.  See how much it takes before you feel full.  Its dense protein which your pouch will hold in it and feel full longer.  You will see by this experiment that you aren't able to hold as much as you think you can.

 You do want low carb and high protein.  Actually my doctor's office suggests staying at 1100 calories once  a person gets to maintenance, but I did go over that.  You have to find what is right for you to stay at your goal weight.  I would say do your 1500 for about a week and SEE if you are losing.  Keep carbs down, you need about 100 g protein daily.  Protein helps you lose weight.  I suggest getting some Kroger Carbmaster yogurt. They are low carbs (3) and low sugar (3) and high protein (12).  If you need to, you can put 2 tblsp of bear naked granola in it.

 

Do you use protein shakes? OR have any powders?  If you are unable to get in enough protein during this time, you may want to consider getting some adkins low carb shakes.  These will help you get in your higher protein amounts. Do one a day if you need to.  Hope this helps.  You can do it!  15 lbs regained and seeing a problem now is much better than gaining back 30, 50, or even all that you have lost.  I know you can do it.  We are here to cheer you on. 

Hi Sunday out a year but know how you are feeling. I haven't gain any weight this summer but have had the GBies all summer have not been  able to lose one lb.
Dr OK with it but I'm not just been able to start back walking when HB is off are their father comes and pick them up for a few hours.  I hope you get back on track soom.  I'm about to get rid od some 12 pants and hope I never have to see them again GOOD LUCK.

A good Bariatric diet is very Atkins like.  It's technically a bit more South Beach; but, many people think I'm on an Atkins diet when they see me eat.

The problem with going on an Atikins or South Beach diet is that what you are doing CANNOT be temporary for long term success.  Diets fail because you do them for a while and then "get back to normal."  The problem is, of course, that your idea of "normal" is what caused the problem in the first place.

Whatever changes you make need to be permanent.  How I eat might LOOK like an Atkins or South Beach diet, but its the way I eat all the time.  As for losing weight, what you need to do is obvious:

1)  Eat less, I would try for 1000 calories a day
2)  Excercise, I would try for 30mins of cardio 5 times a week
3)  Try and keep your calories to 50% protein, 30% carb, and 20% fat.

Hi Sunday,

As far as calories, we're all different.  It varies as to your age, activity level, and somewhat genetics too. 

It also sounds as though you've gotten into some emotional eating.  Being out of school with some unstructured time are fertile conditions for emotional eating.  The majority of weight regain is, in my opinion, a by-product of feeding head hunger that screams at us. 

Atkins is okay bu****ch the fat grams.  Atkins has some aspects of wls nutrition in focusing on protein.  If you feel you have to have some guidelines, I'd probably check out the South Beach diet as it is a bit more balanced.  You need carbs but healthy, complex carbs in the form of vegetables, fruit and whole wheat grains.

What you are supposed to eat, again, varies.  Imagine your pouch as a gas tank.  You don't want to fill up your gas tank.  That would be the equivalent of a Thanksgiving meal full or a 10.  You'd want to eat to probably around a 7 at the most.  It sounds pretty easy but when you really focus on what satisfied is for you, it can be more difficult.  You never want to get too hungry at a 3.  Check in with your body as to what it wants, needs and feels best for you.

The good news about weight regain is that you lost it once and you can do it again.  Granted, the second time around is more difficult and slower than when you lost it right after surgery but YOU CAN DO IT. 

Best, Cathy

Hi...Im 4+ years out and got in a panic when I saw the scale go up 7 lbs recently....I tried that 5daypouch test...loved it...it has me back on track, back to the basics, feeling full and fuller longer and even lost 14 pounds in the process. It basically brings you back to the basics like when you first had surgery. Its worth a shot...1st  two days stink but after that its pretty easy and it helps you break the carb addiction. Good-Luck!..the website is 5daypouchtest.com